网络学习共同体对高校外语教师能力发展的影响因素研究

A study on factors shaping an effective online learning community towards the cultivation of tertiary EFL teacher competences

本研究通过网络民族志和半结构式访谈收集数据,采用内容分析法和跨案例比较分析数据,探讨网络学习共同体对高校外语教师能力发展的影响和促使共同产生影响的因素。研究发现,网络共同体学习有助于教师的专业认知和知识丰富、专业技能强化与专业素养提升。共同体成员、目标/任务、互动和机制是影响教师能力发展的重要因素:成员自主性和异质性是共同体促进教师能力发展的基本前提,目标一致和任务明确是教师能力发展的坚实基础,互惠型互动是教师能力发展的重要途径,制度机制和情感机制是教师能力发展的有力保障。本研究对外语教师学习共同体建设及教师专业发展具有启发和借鉴意义。

Applying netnography, semi-structured interviews, content analysis and cross-case analysis to collect and analyze qualitative data, this study explores the influences of online learning communities on tertiary EFL teacher competences, and focuses on the factors shaping an effective learning community. The findings suggest that online learning communities improve teacher competences regarding their cognition, knowledge, skills and multiliteracies. Major factors shaping an effective learning community include membership, objectives/tasks, interactions and mechanism. Specifically, diverse membership and teachers’ autonomy are the prerequisites for the development of teacher competences. Shared objectives and explicit tasks are the solid bases. Significantly also, reciprocal interactions and sound mechanism create a climate in which collaborative learning takes place. Hopefully, these findings can provide insight into learning community construction and teacher professional development at large.